Taking Care of Your Cat’s Paws and Claws: Complete Guide

Persian cats and other breeds may require more grooming, but all cats benefit from regular paw and claw care to ensure their health and comfort. This comprehensive guide will equip you with practical advice to recognise and prevent paw issues, maintain claw health, and promote your cat’s overall wellbeing.

Getting to Know Your Cat’s Normal Paws and Claws

Most cats have five toes on each front paw and four on each rear paw, although polydactyl cats can have extra toes. Each toe typically has a claw, unless the cat has been declawed (which is rare and often discouraged in the UK) or has lost a claw that did not regrow. Understanding this norm helps you monitor changes or abnormalities early.

A cat’s paws are tough yet flexible, and their claws serve crucial functions: climbing, self-defence, traction, and stretching toe muscles. To support healthy claw wear, provide scratching posts or mats in your home. Encouraging natural climbing and scratching behaviours helps maintain claw condition effectively.

How to Regularly Check Your Cat’s Paws

Cats groom their paws diligently, often cleaning debris from between toes and claw sheaths. However, if your cat excessively licks or bites their paws, this could signal discomfort or a lodged foreign body. Check the paws gently and look for grit, grass seeds, or other irritants that might cause sores or infections.

Cold weather poses additional risks: ice and snow can accumulate between toes or stick to fur, leading to pain or irritation. Wiping your cat’s paws after outdoor exposure during icy or snowy days can prevent such problems.

Step-by-Step Paw and Claw Care Routine

Step 1: Regular Inspection

• Examine paws weekly or more often if your cat goes outside.
• Look for cuts, swelling, redness, or debris between toes and pads.
• Observe your cat’s gait for limping or reluctance to put weight on a foot.
• Introduce paw touching and handling from kittenhood to ease future checks.

Step 2: Cleaning and Moisturising

• Use a damp cloth to gently clean dirt or debris from paws and claws.
• In hot or dry weather, ask your vet about paw-safe moisturisers to protect pads from cracking.
• Avoid letting your cat walk on hot pavements or icy surfaces.

Step 3: Claw Trimming

• Extend claws gently by pressing on the paw pad.
• Clip only the sharp tips, avoiding the quick — the pink sensitive area.
• If the quick is cut, use styptic powder or cornstarch to stop bleeding, and consult your vet if bleeding persists.
• If your cat resists, consider professional grooming help or veterinary clipping.

Step 4: Managing Long Hair Between Pads

• Trim matted or excessively long hair carefully using rounded grooming scissors.
• If unsure, ask a professional groomer or vet for assistance to avoid injury.

Step 5: Handling Injuries or Foreign Bodies

• If a thorn or splinter is visible and easy to remove, use blunt tweezers carefully.
• Never attempt deep or difficult removals yourself — seek veterinary care.
• Clean small cuts gently with vet-approved antiseptics.
• Monitor the area for swelling, pus, or bad odour that indicates infection.

Recognising and Responding to Common Paw Problems

Foreign bodies lodged in paws, torn claws, ingrown nails, or wounds can cause limping or signs of pain. If you notice bleeding, swelling, persistent limping, or a painful claw, make a vet appointment promptly.

Long claws curling inward risk becoming ingrown, so regular trimming is essential. An ingrown claw requires professional treatment to prevent infection and discomfort.

Minor grazes and abrasions often heal naturally, but close monitoring is important to catch any early infections. Keeping your cat indoors during severe weather can also reduce paw injury risks.

Promoting Responsible Cat Care

Taking the time to handle and check your cat’s paws with kindness builds trust, making the experience less stressful for everyone involved. Providing appropriate scratching surfaces and regular grooming not only supports healthy claws but also enriches your cat’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Regular vet check-ups help detect paw conditions early before they worsen. If your cat has outdoor access, extra vigilance for paw issues during cold or wet seasons is important for their comfort.

Conclusion: Keep Your Cat’s Paws Happy and Healthy

Regular inspection, cleaning, claw trimming, and providing scratching outlets are key to maintaining your cat’s paw health. By recognising early signs of problems and providing gentle care, you help ensure your feline companion stays comfortable and active for years to come.

Developing a routine paw care habit is a loving way to connect with your cat and prevent unpleasant conditions. When in doubt about any paw or claw issue, consult your vet promptly for expert advice and treatment.